Residents, council debate artificial turf, heat and chemical risks for Ridgewood playing fields

Cynthia O'Keefe, a Ridgewood resident, told the council she was “fighting against” a plan she said would “cut down hundreds of trees and put artificial turf next to private wells,” and urged officials to reconsider turf installations near the Schedler property.

The discussion matters because residents raised safety concerns about turf during the recent heat wave and questioned whether state agencies and village policy give adequate protection. Council members and staff described the village’s reliance on state guidance and existing protocols for canceling activities during extreme heat.

At the public-workshop meeting, several residents expanded on those concerns. Catherine Schmidt, a member of the SID feasibility study team, said she endorses public engagement on the subject and “look[ed] forward to tonight’s and any further discussions,” and she also voiced support for Cynthia O’Keefe’s statements about turf. Susan Moran, another Ridgewood resident, said neighborhood constituents were “in limbo” about the timing of the Kingsbridge bridge work and repeated concerns that she and others had about turf-related heat illnesses.

Speakers noted two different kinds of concerns: acute heat stress during high temperatures, and potential long‑term chemical exposures. Multiple commenters pointed to media coverage and national debate on artificial turf and chemical additives; one public speaker said “all turf has PFAS” and urged stricter scrutiny of installations and their long‑term environmental impacts.

Village officials said they use state heat‑participation guidance to make operational decisions about field use. Village staff referenced the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) wet‑bulb globe temperature approach and said the village follows the NJSIAA policy when deciding whether to cancel or modify activities. Council members also described how the village and affiliated sports groups have canceled or postponed events during the recent heat wave and how mandatory water breaks and timing rules are used for youth programs.

Council member Winograd defended her prior vote in favor of turf at a council meeting, saying, “the turf is I believe it to be safe,” and noting she had considered staged precautions and alternative infill options during the approvals. Other council members and residents said they were not convinced the existing research settled questions about human exposures and asked for additional local review.

The meeting did not produce a new formal policy change or a vote about future turf installations. Council discussion assigned follow‑up steps: staff said they will continue to apply the NJSIAA guidance in scheduling and will coordinate with parks and recreation when heat thresholds are reached; residents asked for a public panel of independent scientists and additional outreach. One resident said she would present a public panel of scientists on Sept. 4.

The debate over artificial turf in Ridgewood is likely to continue at future public meetings as the village weighs grant opportunities, historic‑site reviews and local public‑safety protocols against community health and environmental concerns.